Baxter County (Arkansas) Employees: Paid Military Leave

The State rule is Arkansas Code section 21-4-102; see the Arkansas entry on military leave for public employees. Baxter County's Personnel Policy (revised May 2026), section 500.06, Military Leave, as the Quorum Court revised it by Ordinance 2026-15 on May 5, 2026 (9 to 0): employees "who are members of the armed forces of this state or any other state, including without limitation the National Guard or a reserve component of the armed forces, shall be granted leave at a rate of fifteen (15) days per calendar year plus necessary travel time for annual training requirements or other duties performed in an official duty status." Unused days carry forward "for a maximum number of thirty (30) military leave days available in any one (1) calendar year", and the leave is "without loss of pay and in addition to regular paid leave". Give a copy of the orders to the Elected Official or Department Head and to Human Resources. Emergencies and active duty. A member called to duty in an emergency by the Governor or the President gets paid leave of up to 30 working days, then unpaid leave, on top of vacation. An employee drafted, called to active duty or volunteering goes on unpaid extended military leave and, applying within 90 days of release, is reinstated to the same or an equivalent post with seniority and benefits. Benefits while away. Employer-paid benefits continue for leave of 30 days or less. For 31 days or more, the employee must keep 120 hours a month through supplemental paid time off to stay on employer-paid benefits; otherwise they pause, COBRA is offered and they restart the month the employee returns. An employee may use earned vacation, personal or compensatory leave to keep civilian pay during service, but may not borrow against future leave. The policy cites USERRA and Arkansas Code 21-4-102, 21-4-212, 14-15-506 and 14-53-113, and applies after the new-hire probationary period.